New ETFs: GlobalShares Expands, Russell Gets Ready to Hit the Scene

The ETF filings and launches are coming fast and furious. The latest round sees three new funds from an existing provider, as well as a filing for a slew of new funds from a well-known index provider.

Old Mutual Global Index Trackers has introduced three new foreign and domestic ETFs. They are attempting to capture more of the ETF market, as the industry begins to grow more rapidly than ever. Old Mutual first appeared on the ETF scene late last year after launching the GlobalShares FTSE Emerging Markets Fund (GSR). Since the launch, the fund has amassed about $65 million in assets.

The new funds are:

GlobalShares FTSE All Cap Asia Pacific ex Japan Fund (GSZ)

GlobalShares FTSE All-World ex-US Fund (GSO)

GlobalShares FTSE All-World Fund (GSW)

Russell Investments is already a player in the ETF industry as an index provider; now it’s planning to launch 11 proprietary ETFs. Although iShares and other ETF providers currently license Russell’s indexes, none of the funds in registration will track already-licensed indexes. Experts say the move is a good one for Russell, because the provider could make more in fees, says Jessica Toonkel Marques for Investment News.